RNC chair: Obamacare 'main target'

3/16/14 10:09 AM EDT

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called Obamacare "complete poison" on Sunday and vowed the GOP would continue to target the new health law in upcoming races.

Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," he called the Affordable Care Act the "main target" for Republicans. And he said that David Jolly's victory over Democrat Alex Sink in last week's special congressional race in Florida's 13th District was largely due to opposition to Obamacare.

The RNC chairman praised Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, in the wake of recent controversial comments on the culture of poverty in inner cities, saying the former vice-presidential candidate has "devoted a large part of his life” to finding ways to “create opportunities in urban areas” and tackle poverty. He lauded Ryan and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for their recent efforts in addressing poverty.

Priebus also skirted a question about Sen. Ted Cruz potentially funding primary challengers against GOP incumbents. The chairman called Cruz a "member of the team" and didn't comment specifically on any primary races.

Crowley pressed Priebus on the GOP's diversity, citing that only two women spoke at the main stage of the CPAC conference. Priebus cited a recent ad campaign highlighting the Republican Party's diversity efforts, saying the RNC is leading a "historic engagement effort in Hispanic, Asian and African-American communities.”